Combined mirror and instrument



Oct. 25, 1932. w, LA HQDNY 1,884,757

COMBINED MIRROR AND INSTRUMENT Filed April 22. 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct; 25, 1932. w. LA HQDNY 1,884,757

COMBINED MIRROR AND INSTRUMENT Filed April 22, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 25, 1932 UNITED STATES WILLIAM LA HODNY, OF BUFFALO; NEW YORK COMBINED MIRROR Application filed April 22,

This invention relates to a combined mirror and instrument and is shown as embodied in a rear vision mirror having associated therewith a watch or clock although any instrument can be substituted for the watch or clock, such as a barometer, a compass, a thermometer, a viscosimeter, or any other kind of instrument to which frequent reference is made, particularly in an automobile. The

invention is also applicable to wall mirrors, bath room cabinet mirrors, desk mirror clock combinations, or anywhere else where it may be desirable to have a watch, clock or other instrument as well as the mirror.

One of the principal objects of this invention is to provide such a combined watch or clock and mirror in which the watch or clock is supported exclusively and directly by the mirror and has no connection with the bracket or other support for the mirror.

Another object of this invention is to provide a single mirror having a watch or clock associated therewith, the face of the watch or clock being directly visible through a transparency or transparent opening provided in the mirror by removing or by eliminating the reflective coating on a portion of the mirror so that the mirror plate itself forms a crystal for the watch or clock. The provision of such an opening in a mirror to form a crystal for a watch or clock is more particularly shown and described in my copending application, Ser. No. 408,095, filed November 18, 1929. By this means the combined mirror and watch or clock are in their most compact form, the assembly is attractive in appearance, the face of the watch or clock is clearly visible and the rear vision mirror possesses its complete strength so that it is 40 not likely to break or crack as would be the case if an opening of the size required were provided in the glass plate. By forming the mirror so as also to form the crystal for the watch or clock the danger of dust and dirt filtering through to the movement is reduced. The invention can, however, be embodied in a mirror having an opening cut therethrough to receive the instrument case.

Another object is to form a simple and in- 59 expensive means for securing the watch or AND INSTRUMENT 1930. Serial No. 446,280.

clock case to the mirror, which means embody a tightening bolt which simultaneously clamps the mounting means to the watch case, contracts supporting fingers about the margin of the mirror so as to hold the watch or clock reliably in position in front of the crystal in said mirror and also cooperates with the beveled edges of the mirror to draw the watch case into firm engagement with the rear side of the mirror and provide a dust-proof seal between these parts.

Another purpose is to provide such a mounting which is simple and inexpensive and which can be quickly applied to both the watch or clock case and to the mirror thereby expediting the operationof assembling the same.

A still further purpose is to provide such a mounting which is neat and attractive in appearance, particularly when viewed from the rear side and in which the necessary clamping bolt or other means is arranged in position where it is at no time visible to one entering the automobile or to the occupants thereof.

A further aim is to provide such a mounting which is suitable for use with various types and sizes of mirrors so that any movement can be employed. I

Other purposes are to provide a combined 5 rear vision mirror and instrument which is inexpensive to form and assemble, which is neat and attractive in appearance, which particularly when viewed from the rear side of the same, presents no unsightly mechanical devices, and in which the instrument is readily accessible for resetting, rewinding or the like.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the combined rear vision mirror and watch or clock embodying one form of my invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on line 3-3, Fig. 2.

Figure t is a fragmentary rear elevation of the right hand end of a rear vision mirror showing a watch or clock case mounted in accordance with the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-3.

Figure 5 is an end view of the mirror, Watch or clock case and mounting shown in Fig. 4:-

Figure 6 is a section taken on line 6-6, Fig. 5.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing another form of the invention.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the form of the invention shown in Fig. 7.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Fig. fl showing the form of the invention shown in Figs. 7 and 8. r

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figs. l and 7 showing a third form of my invention.

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figs. 5 and 8 showing the form of the invention shown in Fig. 10. Y I

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figs. 6 and 9 showing the form of the invention shown in Figs. 10 and 11. V

Figure 13 is a view similar to Fig. 4: showing a fourth form of my invention.

Figure 14 isa view similar to Fig. 5 showing the form of the invention shown in Fig. 13.

Figure 15'is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing the form of the invention shown in Figs. 13 and 14.

' Similar reference numerals refer to like parts in each of the several views.

In its general organization this invention comprises a clip for supporting an instrument case in rear of a crystal or transparency formed in a rear vision mirror by removing or by not applying a portion of the reflective coating, which clip comprises a'split annular band having its ends adapted to be drawn together so as to embrace and clamp the watch case, which annular band is also formed to provide a pair of fingers adapted to grasp the beveled edge of the mirror plate so that the clamping together of the ends of the band about the watch case also clamps the fingers to opposite sides of the rear vision mirror and thereby securely holds the watch case in position.

The rear vision mirror can be of any suitable construction and is shown as comprising a plate 15 of elongated rectangular form, which plate is beveled at its margin and is provided on its rear side with a reflective coating 16. Any other transparent material can be used in place of the glass and the reflective coating can be of the usual silver or it can be of a material which absorbs a part of the light reflected in the same, such light absorbing reflective coatings providing what is commonly known as a non-glare rear vision mirror.

This mirror can be mounted in any well known and approved manner, this mounting forming no part of the present invention. As shown the mirror is supported by a bracket 17 having holes 18 by means of which the bracket is secured to the usual head bar (not shown) of an automobile windshield. This bracket is formed to provide a depending arm from the lower end of which a stem 19 projects forwardly. This stem is formed to provide a ball 20. The mirror is shown as held by an upper plate 21 and a lower plate 22, these plates overlapping and the lower plate being formed to provide fingers 23 which engage the lower beveled edge of the mirror while the upper plate 21 is formed to provide similar fingers 24L which engage the upper beveled edge of the mirror. The lower plate 22 is formed to provide a rear- Wardly projecting arm 25 which fits around the lower part of the ball 20 and the upper plate 21 is formed to provide a similar rearwardly projecting arm 26 which fits around the upper part of the ball 20. These arms are drawn together by a plurality of bolts 27 so that at the same time the two plates 21 and 22 are drawn together to clamp the mirror plate therebetween the arms 25, 26 are com pressed upon the ball 20 so that a firm frictional ball and socket joint is provided for supporting the mirror plate 15 from the bracket 17.

In the various forms of the invention shown, the mirror plate 15 is first coated over its entire rear face with a film of reflective material 16. If the watch or clock to be used has a circular face a circular transi1.

parency, transparent opening or crystal 28 then provided in the right hand end of the mirror by removing a circular disk of the reflective coating 16 on the back of the mirror plate. This can be done by scraping 01f the reflective coating, grinding a concave recess in the rear side of the mirror or by coating the crystal part of the rear vision mirror with a suitable material to which the coating will not adhere before the mirror is silvered. Around the crystal a circular groove 29 is ground into the rear side of the mirror.

The watch or clock movement including the dial 30, hands:31, and stem 32 is arranged in a watch or clock case 34, the rim of which is set into the groove 29 so that the dial and hands 30, 31 of its contained movement are visible through the crystal 28.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 16 the rim of the watch case is embraced by a split flat ring or band 35 which is provided at the point opposite its two ends with a recess 36, the stem of the watch fitting into this recess as indicated in Fig. 5. One end 37 of the split ring or band is bent laterally or radially outward and the opposite end 39 of this band is also bent laterally and is formed to provide an end 39 which projects toward the end 37. Openings are provided in the laterally extending ends 37 and 38 of the split ring or band 35 and a bolt 40 having a nut 41 passes through these laterally projecting ends 37 and 35. The split ring or band 35 is also formed to (iii provide a pair of fingers, the upper finger 42 extending forwardly around the upper beveled edge of the mirror and the lower finger 43 extending downwardly and being arranged to engage the lower beveled edge of the mirror. In addition the split ring or band is provided with a pair of oppositely located inwardly projecting lips 44 which extend around the rear side of the clock or watch case 34, as best shown in Fig. 5. It is apparent that upon slipping the watch case 7 34 and its contained movement into the split ring 35, and upon springing the fingers 42 and 43 around the opposite edges of the mirror 15, the watch case and its contained movement can readily be placed in position and upon tightening the bolt 40, all of the parts are held in fixed relation. The tightening of the bolt 40 not only contracts the split ring around the watch case but also draws the fingers 42 and 48 toward each other so as to securely hold the watch case to the mirror.

The form of the invention shown in Figs. 7-9 is substantially like that shown in Figs. 1-6 except that the inwardly extending lips 44 are eliminated and the lateral extension 37 of the lower end of the clamping ring is provided with an upward extension 45 which fits within and alongside of the downward extension 39 forming the end of the upper half of the clamping ring.

In other respects this form identical to that shown in Figs. 4-6, the tightening of the screw 40 drawing the split ringor band around the watch or clock case and also drawing the fingers 42 and 43 toward each other to secure the watch or clock case to the mirror.

The form of the invention shown in Figs; 10-12 is substantially the same as that shown in Figs. 79 except that both the split ring 35 and the watch or clock case 34 are provided with inward indentations 46 and 47 at their upper and lower sides. The inward indentation 46 in the split ring 35 forms a teat which fits into the inward indentation in the watch or clock case and prevents the watch or clock case from moving relative to the clamping ring after the clamping ring is applied. In other respects this form is substantially the same as that shown in Figs. 7-9.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 13-15, instead of a single split band or ring, semi-circular rings or bands 35a and 35?) are provided each of these semi-circular bands being secured to the watch or clock case adjacent the stem by means of belts or screws 48 and the opposite ends of these semi-circular rings being formed in the same manner as the form of the invention shown in Figs. 16, The upper semi-circular band 35a is former to provide an upper finger 42 which engages the upper margin of the mirror as in the other forms of the invention and the lower band 35?) is provided with a finger 43 which is similar to the lower mirror engaging fingers 43 in the other forms of the invention. The ends of the semi-circular bands are drawn together by a bolt 40 in the .same manner as with the other forms of this invention.

It will be noted that in all of the forms of the invention the fingers 42 and 43 engage the beveled margin of the mirror. It is therefore apparent that when these fingers are drawn together. the watch case is drawn torwardly into firm engagement with the groove 29 in the mirror, the beveled edges of the mirror acting as cam surfaces in effecting this result. The tightening of the bolt 40 therefore has three efi ects: it clamps the ring to the watch case; it clamps the fingers 42 and 43 to the opposite edges of the mirror and it draws the watch case toward the mirror to form a firm and dust-proof joint between the watch case and mirror.

From the foregoing it is apparent that all of the several forms of this invention provide a compact, attractive and inexpensive combined rear vision mirror and instrument in which the instrument. such as a watch or clock, is fastened by means which are easy to apply, and are provided with but one tightening means, which tightening means simultaneously clamp the mounting to the watch or clock case, clamp the mounting to the mirror and draw the watch case firmly into engagement with the mirror so that the single operation effects a triple result. The watch or clock so mounted is firmly and reliably held in proper position and at the same time is readily removable should the move ment require any adjustment or repairs. The mounting is also strong and durable and will not loosen under the severe and constant vibration to which accessories of this type are subjected.

I claim as my invention:

.1. Means for mounting an instrument case behind a transparent panel, comprising a band composed of at least one section and adapted to embrace said case, means for drawing the ends of said band together to clamp it to said case, and fingers provided at opposite sides of said band and adapted to engage opposite edges of said panel, said fingers being drawn together to clamp the panel therebetween upon said drawing together of the ends of said band.

2. Means for mounting an instrument case behind a beveled transparent panel, comprising a band comprised of at least one section and adapted to embrace said case, means for drawing together the ends of said band to clamp it to said case, and fingers provided at opposite sides of said band and adapted to engage the opposite beveled edges of said panel, said fingers being drawn together to clamp the panel therebetween upon said drawing together of. the ends of said band and their engagement with said beveled edges also serving to draw said case against the rear side of said panel.

3. Means for mounting an instrument case behind a transparent panel, comprising a band composed of at least one section and adapted to embrace said case, means for drawing together the ends of said band to clamp it to said case, and fingers provided at opposite sides of said band and adapted to engage opposite edges of said panel, said fingers being drawn together to clamp the panel therebetween upon said drawing together of the ends of said band, and-an inward projection provided on said band and adapted to engage a corresponding part of said case to prevent its rearward displacement.

4. Means for mounting an instrument case behind a transparent panel, comprising a band composed of at least one section and adapted to embrace said case, ,means for drawing together the ends of said band'to clamp it to said case, fingers provided at opposite sides of said band and adapted to engage opposite edges of said panel, said fingers being drawn togetherto clamp the panel therebetween upon said drawing together of the ends of said band, and a pair of inwardly projecting lips provided at opposite sides of said band and adapted to engage the rear side of said instrument case thereby to prevent the r arward displacement of said case.

5. Means for mounting an instrument case J behind a transparent panel, comprising a band composed of at least one section and adapted to embrace said case, a'bolt extending through the ends of said band and adapted to clamp it to said case, and fingers provided at opposite sides of said band and adapted to engage opposite edges of said panel, said fingers being drawn together to clamp the panel therebetween upon said drawing together of the ends of said band.

6. Means for mounting an instrument case behind a transparent panel, comprising a band composed of at least one section and adapted to embrace said case, the free ends of said band being formed to extend radially outward and the end of one of said radially extending ends being bent perpendicularly to engage the radially extending part of the other end and limit the counteraction of said band, a bolt extending through the radiallv extending parts at both ends of said band and thereby adapted to clamp said band to said instrument case, and fingers provided at opposite sides of said band and adapted to engage oppositeedges of said panel, said fingers being drawn together to clamp the panel therebetween upon said drawing together of the ends of said band.

7. Means for mounting an instrument case behind a. transparent panel, comprising a split ring adapted to embrace said case, means for drawing together the ends of said ring to clamp it to said case, and fingers formed integrally with said ring at opposite sides thereof and arranged to engage opposite edges of said panel, said fingers being drawn together to clamp the panel therebetween upon said drawing together of the ends of said band.

8. Means for mounting an instrument case behind a transparent panel, comprising a split annual band adapted to embrace said case, means for drawing together the ends of said band to clamp it to said case, fingers formed integrally with said band and projecting outwardly and forwardly to engage opposite edges of said panel, said fingers being drawn together to clamp the panel therebetween upon said drawing together of the ends of said band, and lips formed integrally with said band and projecting inwardly therefrom to engage the rear side of said case and prevent the rearward displacement thereof.

9. Means for mounting an instrument case behind a beveled transparent panel having a groove to receive a part of the rim of said instrument case comprising a split annular band adapted to embrace the rim of said case, screw means for drawing together the ends of said band to clamp it to said case, a pair of integrally formed inwardly projecting lips formed at opposite sides of said band and adapted to engage the rear side of said case, and a pair of fingers formed integrally at opposite sides of said band and projecting outwardly and formed to engage the forwardly facing bevel at opposite sides of said panel, said fingers being drawn together to clamp the panel therebetween by the said drawing together of the ends of said band and the engagement of said fingers with said bevel serving to draw said case into firm engagement with its groove.

In testimony whereof I hereby afiix my signature.

WILLIAM LA HODNY. 

